"They cannot stay in the shelters much longer, and are in desperate need of more suitable temporary living conditions."

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The borough's Hurricane Sandy victims should be eligible for federal transitional shelter, Rep. Michael Grimm said Thursday, and called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo for help.

Governors need to formally request Transitional Shelter Assistance, which is then authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).

Grimm noted that once authorized, Transitional Shelter Assistance will permit FEMA to move displaced individuals out of evacuation shelters and into temporary housing facilities such as hotels, motels or comparable sites.

In a letter to Cuomo, Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said: "As I visit the evacuation shelters, I have encountered families and individuals who have lost everything. They have no place to go, and no home to which to return. Some are elderly, some have special needs, and some have small children. They cannot stay in the shelters much longer, and are in desperate need of more suitable temporary living conditions."

"I ask you to make this request as soon as possible, so that those who have lost everything can be in a comfortable temporary place to call home, and begin rebuilding their lives," Grimm added.

A request for comment was not immediately forthcoming from the Cuomo administration.